MPs on BIS Committee say government “lacks focus” when it comes to tackling low UK productivity February 1, 2016 An influential group of MPs has slammed the government over its efforts to boost Britain’s productivity, saying ministers’ plans “lack focus”. In a new report out today, MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Committee said the government’s so-called productivity plan, first introduced last summer, “lacks clear, measurable objectives and largely amounts to an [...]
Freelancers feeling good again after government scraps tax plan February 1, 2016 Things are looking up for the UK’s growing freelance community, with confidence rising and a controversial tax plan scrapped. According to a new survey by the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE), 35 per cent of freelancers felt confident about their work prospects in the third quarter of 2015, compared with just [...]
London airport expansion: Sir Howard Davies, Sir Martin Sorrell, CBI, London First and others hit back at MPs’ request for more economic analysis of airport options January 31, 2016 Business groups have once again urged the government to push ahead with airport expansion, after an influential group of MPs opened the door to further delays by calling for more economic analysis of the costs and benefits of additional runways. In a letter today to chancellor George Osborne, Treasury Committee chair Andrew Tyrie attacked the [...]
Greek bailout talks to continue amid clashes over pension reforms January 31, 2016 Greece is set to review its bailout progress on Monday, with pension reforms high on the agenda. The talks – which were initially scheduled to take place in December – are likely to last at least a couple of weeks. The review comes as bailout monitors arrive in Athens to check on the progress of [...]
EU referendum: Controversial filmmaker Martin Durkin launches crowdfunding campaign for “Brexit: The Movie” January 31, 2016 Could “Brexit: The Movie” be coming soon to a cinema near you? Martin Durkin hopes so. The controversial documentary filmmaker, who has been called the “Michael Moore of the right” is tomorrow kicking off a crowdfunding campaign to raise £100,000 in support of his next eurosceptic project. Durkin, whose other credits include “Nigel Farage: Who [...]
Google tax deal not a “glorious moment” business secretary Sajid Javid admits January 31, 2016 Google's deal to pay £130m in corporation tax was not a "glorious moment", business secretary Sajid Javid has admitted, but has insisted it will change behaviour. Google also defended the payment, saying it doesn't have a so-called sweetheart deal with the government or HMRC and pays a rate of 20 per cent in the UK and globally. The pay deal, [...]
EU referendum: David Cameron faces crucial talks with Donald Tusk over “emergency brake” on in-work migrant benefits January 31, 2016 David Cameron will begin crucial talks with EU Council President Donald Tusk as he seeks greater powers to control in-work benefits for migrants coming to Britain. The Prime Minister will push for an "emergency brake" on benefits that can be applied immediately after the EU referendum. Brussels has offered the power to halt migrant payments for up to [...]
EU referendum: ComRes poll finds most Brits want to stay in the EU January 30, 2016 The majority of Brits are in favour of staying in the European Union, according to the latest poll by ComRes, however opposition to membership ticked up slightly. Fifty-four percent of respondents in the poll carried out on behalf of the Daily Mail said they would vote to remain in the EU if the widely anticipated in/out referendum was [...]
Chancellor George Osborne facing Budget squeeze after postponing Lloyds share sell-off January 28, 2016 George Osborne was dealt a double blow yesterday, as Britain’s economic growth slowed and the government was forced to postpone the sell-off of Lloyds, with economists warning that taxes could be raised to make up for a shortfall in the public finances. The sale of the final chunk of Lloyds shares – which was expected to [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Labour candidate Sadiq Khan attacks Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith over housing policy January 28, 2016 Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan was on the offensive tonight at the first official hustings event in the race for City Hall, as he attacked Conservative rival Zac Goldmsith over housing policy. Khan and Goldsmith participated in a public debate organised by the London Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at the London School of Economics. The debate also [...]